TWIN FALLS, Idaho - Fresh off of their OT thriller just two weeks ago, #22-ranked CSI squared off with #24-ranked Salt Lake once again and was able to come away with a similar result as they knocked off the Bruins 86-81 on Thursday night.
The CSI men bounced back in a huge way, coming off their loss to Snow College last Saturday, by picking up a crucial conference road win that will have them firmly in second place in Region 18. In what was once again a very back and forth affair, the Bruins came out scorching hot and were able to push their early lead to nine, at 29-20, with just under seven minutes to play in the first half. Southern Idaho answered with a 25-10 run that gave them their largest lead of the game with just a minute left in the first half, at 45-39. CSI would take a 45-42 lead into the locker room, a lead that they would lose and regain multiple times throughout the second half. In a game that saw 48 personal fouls, the charity stripe was the difference maker as the Golden Eagles poured in 28 of their 35 attempts, while Salt Lake only cashed in on 16 of their 28 attempts. Southern Idaho was also dominant on the glass, out-rebounding the Bruins 46 to 34. The game came own to the wire as the Golden Eagles were nursing a one point lead at 82-81, before Tanner Hayhurst poured in a pair of free throws, secured a missed three point attempt from the Bruins Ethan Copeland, and then hit the game-sealing free throws to follow, to secure the five point victory. Amarco Doyle had a game-high 27 points, with 12 of those coming at the free throw line, and added eight rebounds. Khayri Dunn had 22 points of his own and had a team-high three assists. Jalen Lyn was the only other Golden Eagle in double figures as he finished with 11 points off the bench. Walker Timme registered 38 minutes tonight and grabbed a team high 10 rebounds, and had the lone block on the defensive end. The win moves the Golden Eagles to 5-1 in conference play, and 17-4 overall, as well as gives them the season series victory over Salt Lake, which grants them the tiebreaker in the standings down the road. CSI will look to complete an undefeated week, as they travel to Rangely to take on Colorado Northwestern on Saturday.